Housing device

ABSTRACT

A housing device (20) includes a housing portion (22), a light source (200), and an optical sensor (300). The housing portion (22) includes a holding body (100). An article is housed in the housing portion (22). The holding body (100) extends in one direction. The light source (200) is attached to the holding body (100) along the one direction. The light source (200) applies light toward at least a part of a space (S) located on a side of the holding body (100) with respect to the one direction of the holding body (100), a front of the space (S), and a back of the space (S). The optical sensor (300) is attached to the holding body (100). At least a part of a visual field of the optical sensor (300) faces in at least a part of the space (S), the front of the space (S), and the back of the space (S).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a housing device.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, an object recognition device using various opticalsensors such as a capturing unit of a camera and the like has beendeveloped. For example, PTL 1 describes an object recognition devicemounted on an automobile. The object recognition device includes a lightprojection unit and a light reception unit. Infrared light applied fromthe light projection unit is reflected by a target object presentoutside the object recognition device, and is received by the lightreception unit. Further, PTL 2 describes a photoacoustic imaging device.The photoacoustic imaging device includes a plurality of light sourcebodies having an elongated shape.

RELATED DOCUMENT Patent Document

[PTL 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-77130

[PTL 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-47210

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

For example, an object recognition device is used for recognizingvarious objects, such as a person located near a housing portion such asa shelf in which an article such as a product is housed in a store suchas a retail store, and an article such as a product housed in such ahousing portion. In this case, an object (for example, an article suchas a product, and a person) that is present in a specific region withrespect to the housing portion or passes through a specific region withrespect to the housing portion is required to be recognized by theobject recognition device with high sensitivity.

One example of an object of the present invention is to recognize, withhigh sensitivity, an object that is present in a specific region withrespect to a housing portion or passes through a specific region withrespect to the housing portion. Another object of the present inventionwill become apparent from the description of the present specification.

Solution to Problem

One aspect of the present invention is a housing device including:

a housing portion including a holding body extending in one direction,and in which an article is housed;

a light source that is attached to the holding body along the onedirection, and applies light toward at least a part of a space locatedon a side of the holding body with respect to the one direction of theholding body, a front of the space, and a back of the space; and

an optical sensor that is attached to the holding body, and has at leasta part of a visual field facing in at least a part of the space, thefront of the space, and the back of the space.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the aspect described above of the present invention, anobject that is present in a specific region with respect to a housingportion or passes through a specific region with respect to the housingportion is able to be recognized with high sensitivity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-described object, the other objects, features, and advantageswill become more apparent from suitable example embodiment describedbelow and the following accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an object recognition device accordingto a first example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an object recognition device accordingto a second example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing a first example of an optical sensorhaving a visual field facing upward from downward in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing a second example of the opticalsensor having the visual field facing upward from downward in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a first modification example of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a second modification example of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a third modification example of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a fourth modification example of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a fifth modification example of FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a sixth modification example of FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a seventh modification example of FIG.2 .

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an eighth modification example of FIG.2 .

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a ninth modification example of FIG. 2.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a tenth modification example of FIG. 2.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an eleventh modification example ofFIG. 2 .

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a twelfth modification example of FIG.2 .

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a housing device according to a thirdexample embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for describing a first example of a relationshipbetween a light source and an optical sensor that are illustrated inFIG. 17 .

FIG. 19 is a diagram for describing a second example of a relationshipbetween the light source and the optical sensor that are illustrated inFIG. 17 .

FIG. 20 is a diagram for describing a third example of a relationshipbetween the light source and the optical sensor that are illustrated inFIG. 17 .

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, example embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed with reference to the drawings. Note that, in all of thedrawings, a similar component has a similar reference sign, anddescription thereof will be appropriately omitted.

First Example Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an object recognition device 10according to a first example embodiment.

In FIG. 1 , a first direction X, a second direction Y, and a thirddirection Z are as follows. The same applies to drawings describedlater. The first direction X is a width direction (horizontal direction)of a space S located on a side of a holding body 100 described later. Apositive direction (direction indicated by an arrow indicating the firstdirection X) of the first direction X is a direction from the space Stoward the holding body 100. A negative direction (direction opposite tothe direction indicated by the arrow indicating the first direction X)of the first direction X is a direction from the holding body 100 towardthe space S. The second direction Y intersects the first direction X,and is specifically orthogonal to the first direction X. The seconddirection Y is a height direction (vertical direction) of the space Slocated on the side of the holding body 100. A positive direction(direction indicated by an arrow indicating the second direction Y) ofthe second direction Y is an upward direction of the space S. A negativedirection (direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrowindicating the second direction Y) of the second direction Y is adownward direction of the space S. The third direction Z intersects bothof the first direction X and the second direction Y, and is specificallyorthogonal to both of the first direction X and the second direction Y.The third direction Z is a front-back row direction (horizontaldirection) of the space S located on the side of the holding body 100. Apositive direction (direction indicated by an arrow indicating the thirddirection Z) of the third direction Z is a direction from the fronttoward the back of the space S. A negative direction (direction oppositeto the direction indicated by the arrow indicating the third directionZ) of the third direction Z is a direction from the back toward thefront of the space S.

The first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Zare not limited to the directions described above. The first directionX, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z described above aredirections in one example of use of the object recognition device 10according to the present example embodiment. For example, the objectrecognition device 10 may be used in such a way that the seconddirection Y is tilted obliquely from the vertical direction toward thehorizontal direction. Further, the object recognition device 10 may beused in such a way that a front-back direction (third direction Z) ofthe space S is parallel to the vertical direction (both of the firstdirection X and the second direction Y are parallel to the horizontaldirection). Furthermore, the object recognition device 10 may be used insuch a way that the first direction X is parallel to the verticaldirection and the second direction Y is parallel to the horizontaldirection.

An outline of the object recognition device 10 will be described byusing FIG. 1 . The object recognition device 10 includes the holdingbody 100, a light source 200, and an optical sensor 300. The holdingbody 100 extends in one direction (extending direction of the holdingbody 100: the second direction Y). The light source 200 is attached tothe holding body 100 along the one direction (second direction Y)described above of the holding body 100. Further, the light source 200applies light toward at least a part of the space S located on the side(negative direction of the first direction X) of the holding body 100with respect to the one direction (second direction Y) described aboveof the holding body 100, the front (negative direction of the thirddirection Z) of the space S, and the back (positive direction of thethird direction Z) of the space S. The optical sensor 300 is attached tothe holding body 100. Further, at least a part of a visual field of theoptical sensor 300 faces at least a part of the space S, the front(negative direction of the third direction Z) of the space S, and theback (positive direction of the third direction Z) of the space S.

According to the present example embodiment, light of the light source200 can be applied to an object located in the space S located on theside (negative direction of the first direction X) of the holding body100, the front (negative direction of the third direction Z) of thespace S, or the back (positive direction of the third direction Z) ofthe space S. Further, an object to which light of the light source 200is applied can be detected by the optical sensor 300. Therefore, anobject that is present in a specific region (the space S, ahead(negative direction of the third direction Z) of the space S, or theback (positive direction of the third direction Z) of the space S), orpasses through a specific region (the space S, ahead (negative directionof the third direction Z) of the space S, or the back (positivedirection of the third direction Z) of the space S) can be recognizedwith high sensitivity.

Details of the object recognition device 10 will be described by usingFIG. 1 .

The holding body 100 holds the light source 200 and the optical sensor300. The holding body 100 is an extending body extending in onedirection (second direction Y). The holding body 100 may be able toexpand and contract in the one direction (second direction Y) describedabove. In this case, a length of the holding body 100 can be adjusted toan appropriate length for a member to which the holding body 100 isattached. For example, the holding body 100 may include a cylindricalmember, and an extending member inserted movably with respect to thecylindrical member. In this example, a length of the holding body 100 inthe one direction (second direction Y) described above can be adjustedby moving the extending member with respect to the cylindrical member.However, a structure for adjusting a length of the holding body 100 inthe one direction (second direction Y) described above is not limited tothis example. Further, the holding body 100 may not be able to expandand contract in the one direction (second direction Y) described above.

The light source 200 is located on a surface side (surface side on anegative direction side of the first direction X) of the holding body100 facing the space S. Light applied from the light source 200 is, forexample, visible light, an infrared ray, or an ultraviolet ray. The“light source 200 being attached to the holding body 100 along onedirection (second direction Y)” means that, for example, the lightsource 200 is a linear light source (for example, a stick-shapedfluorescent lamp) continuously extending along the one direction (seconddirection Y) described above of the holding body 100. Alternatively, the“light source 200 being attached to the holding body 100 along onedirection (second direction Y)” means that, for example, a plurality ofthe light sources 200 (for example, a plurality of dot-shaped lightsources 200 or a plurality of segment-shaped light sources 200) arealigned away from each other along the one direction (second directionY) described above of the holding body 100. The light source 200 may beprovided on the holding body 100 across substantially a whole (forexample, equal to or more than 90% and equal to or less than 100% of atotal length of the holding body 100 in the one direction (seconddirection Y) described above except for a region where the opticalsensor 300 is attached) in the one direction (second direction Y)described above of the holding body 100 except for the region where theoptical sensor 300 is attached. Alternatively, the light source 200 maybe provided only on a part (for example, equal to or more than ⅓ of thetotal length of the holding body 100 in the one direction (seconddirection Y) described above) of the holding body 100 in the onedirection (second direction Y) described above.

The optical sensor 300 is a capturing unit of a camera and the like, forexample. The object recognition device 10 includes a cover 302 thatcovers a sensor main body (for example, a lens of a camera). If thecover 302 is not provided, the sensor main body is exposed. In thiscase, there is a possibility that a person approaching the objectrecognition device 10 may have a feeling of anxiety about beingmonitored by the optical sensor 300 (sensor main body). In contrast,when the cover 302 is provided, a person approaching the objectrecognition device 10 can be prevented from having such a feeling ofanxiety. However, the object recognition device 10 may not include thecover 302.

The optical sensor 300 is located on the surface side (surface side onthe negative direction side of the first direction X) of the holdingbody 100 facing the space S. The optical sensor 300 is located in such away as to be shifted from the light source 200 along the one direction(second direction Y) described above of the holding body 100.Specifically, the optical sensor 300 is attached to one end (upper end:end on a positive direction side of the second direction Y) of theholding body 100. However, the optical sensor 300 may be attached to aposition (for example, the center of the holding body 100 in the onedirection (second direction Y) described above of the holding body 100)shifted from the one end (upper end: end on the positive direction sideof the second direction Y) of the holding body 100 in the one direction(second direction Y) described above of the holding body 100.

The visual field of the optical sensor 300 (for example, a central lineof the visual field of the optical sensor 300) faces, from a position inwhich the optical sensor 300 is located toward the space S, the front(negative direction of the third direction Z) of the space S, or theback (positive direction of the third direction Z) of the space S, in adirection (for example, a direction from the position in which theoptical sensor 300 is located toward between the negative direction ofthe first direction X and the negative direction of the second directionY) obliquely intersecting the one direction (second direction Y)described above of the holding body 100. As viewed from the front(negative direction of the third direction Z) or the back (positivedirection of the third direction Z) of the space S, the visual field ofthe optical sensor 300 expands further with a longer distance from theposition in which the optical sensor 300 is located. Therefore, if thevisual field of the optical sensor 300 (for example, the central line ofthe visual field of the optical sensor 300) faces, from the position inwhich the optical sensor 300 is located toward the space S, the front(negative direction of the third direction Z) of the space S, or theback (positive direction of the third direction Z) of the space S, in adirection (for example, a direction from the position in which theoptical sensor 300 is located toward the negative direction of the firstdirection X) being orthogonal to the one direction (second direction Y)described above of the holding body 100, a region of the space Sadjacent to the optical sensor 300 in the one direction (seconddirection Y) described above of the holding body 100 may be a blind spotof the visual field of the optical sensor 300. In contrast, in thepresent example embodiment, a region of the space S (for example, aregion of the space S located below (negative direction of the seconddirection Y) the optical sensor 300) adjacent to the optical sensor 300in the one direction (second direction Y) described above of the holdingbody 100 can be included in the visual field of the optical sensor 300.However, the visual field of the optical sensor 300 (for example, thecentral line of the visual field of the optical sensor 300) may face,from the position in which the optical sensor 300 is located toward thespace S, the front (negative direction of the third direction Z) of thespace S, or the back (positive direction of the third direction Z) ofthe space S, in the direction (for example, the negative direction ofthe first direction X) being orthogonal to the one direction (seconddirection Y) described above of the holding body 100.

As described above, in the present example embodiment, the opticalsensor 300 is attached to the one end (upper end: end on the positivedirection side of the second direction Y) of the holding body 100.Therefore, as viewed from the front (negative direction of the thirddirection Z) or the back (positive direction of the third direction Z)of the space S, when the central line of the visual field of the opticalsensor 300 extends from the position in which the optical sensor 300 islocated toward obliquely below (direction toward between the negativedirection of the first direction X and the negative direction of thesecond direction Y), the entire visual field of the optical sensor 300can include almost an entire area of the space S as viewed from thefront (negative direction of the third direction Z) or the back(positive direction of the third direction Z) of the space S.

The visual field of the optical sensor 300 may expand in the front-backdirection (third direction Z) of the space S from the optical sensor 300toward the space S (from the positive direction of the first direction Xtoward the negative direction of the first direction X). When thecentral line of the visual field of the optical sensor 300 extendstoward the space S in this case, an end of the visual field of theoptical sensor 300 on a front side (negative direction side of the thirddirection Z) of the space S may reach the front (negative direction ofthe third direction Z) of the space S, and an end of the visual field ofthe optical sensor 300 on a back side (positive direction side of thethird direction Z) of the space S may reach the back (positive directionof the third direction Z) of the space S. Further, when the central lineof the visual field of the optical sensor 300 extends toward the front(negative direction of the third direction Z) of the space S, the end ofthe visual field of the optical sensor 300 on the back side (positivedirection side of the third direction Z) of the space S may reach thespace S or may reach the back (positive direction of the third directionZ) of the space S. Furthermore, when the central line of the visualfield of the optical sensor 300 extends toward the back (positivedirection of the third direction Z) of the space S, the end of thevisual field of the optical sensor 300 on the front side (negativedirection side of the third direction Z) of the space S may reach thespace S or may reach the front (negative direction of the thirddirection Z) of the space S.

The optical sensor 300 may be attached to the holding body 100 in such away as to be movable in the one direction (second direction Y) describedabove of the holding body 100. In this case, a position of the opticalsensor 300 can be appropriately adjusted according to a use situation ofthe object recognition device 10. For example, the optical sensor 300may be slidable along a rail provided on a predetermined surface (forexample, a surface on which the light source 200 is provided, or asurface different from the surface on which the light source 200 isprovided) of the holding body 100. Note that, the optical sensor 300 maybe fixed to the holding body 100 in such a way as not to be movable.

In the present example embodiment, the optical sensor 300 is attached toonly one end (upper end: end on the positive direction side of thesecond direction Y) of the holding body 100 among the one end (upperend: end on the positive direction side of the second direction Y) andanother end (lower end: end on a negative direction side of the seconddirection Y) of the holding body 100. However, the optical sensor 300may be attached to both of the one end (upper end: end on the positivedirection side of the second direction Y) and the another end (lowerend: end on the negative direction side of the second direction Y) ofthe holding body 100. In this case, a region where the objectrecognition device 10 can recognize an object can be complemented by avisual field of the optical sensor 300 attached to the one end (upperend: end on the positive direction side of the second direction Y) ofthe holding body 100 and a visual field of the optical sensor 300attached to the another end (lower end: end on the negative directionside of the second direction Y) of the holding body 100 to each other.Note that, the optical sensor 300 attached in addition to the opticalsensor 300 attached to the one end (upper end: end on the positivedirection side of the second direction Y) of the holding body 100 may beattached to a position shifted from the another end (lower end: end onthe negative direction side of the second direction Y) of the holdingbody 100 in the one direction (second direction Y) described above ofthe holding body 100. Further, the number of the optical sensor 300attached to the holding body 100 may not be one or two, and may be threeor more. In other words, at least one optical sensor 300 can be attachedto the holding body 100.

Second Example Embodiment

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an object recognition device 10according to a second example embodiment. The object recognition device10 according to the second example embodiment is similar to the objectrecognition device 10 according to the first example embodiment exceptfor the following points.

An outline of the object recognition device 10 will be described byusing FIG. 2 .

The object recognition device 10 includes a pair of holding bodies 100.The pair of holding bodies 100 face each other substantially in parallelacross a space S. “Substantially in parallel” means not only that thepair of holding bodies 100 are disposed strictly in parallel, but alsomeans that one of the pair of holding bodies 100 is tilted by a slightangle (for example, equal to or less than 2.5 degrees) with respect toanother of the pair of holding bodies 100 (for example, in FIG. 2 , oneof the pair of holding bodies 100 is parallel to the second direction Y,and another of the pair of holding bodies 100 is tilted by a slightangle from the second direction Y toward a direction (for example, thefirst direction X or the third direction Z) perpendicular to the seconddirection Y). However, the pair of holding bodies 100 may not face eachother substantially in parallel, and may face each other while beingobliquely tilted to each other. Further, for example, the pair ofholding bodies 100 may be tilted from the vertical direction (seconddirection Y) toward the horizontal direction (for example, the firstdirection X or the third direction Z), or may be substantially parallelto the horizontal direction (for example, the first direction X or thethird direction Z).

In the present example embodiment, a lower end (end on the negativedirection side of the second direction Y) of each of the pair of holdingbodies 100 is aligned in an up-down direction (second direction Y) ofthe space S, and an upper end (end on the negative direction side of thesecond direction Y) of each of the pair of holding bodies 100 is alignedin the up-down direction (second direction Y) of the space S. However,the lower end (end on the negative direction side of the seconddirection Y) of each of the pair of holding bodies 100 may be shifted inthe up-down direction (second direction Y) of the space S, and the upperend (end on the negative direction side of the second direction Y) ofeach of the pair of holding bodies 100 may be shifted in the up-downdirection (second direction Y) of the space S.

In the present example embodiment, a light source 200 and an opticalsensor 300 are attached to each of the pair of holding bodies 100.However, the light source 200 may be attached to only one (for example,the holding body 100 on the positive direction side of the firstdirection X) of the pair of holding bodies 100, for example, and theoptical sensor 300 may be attached to only another (for example, theholding body 100 on the negative direction side of the first directionX) of the pair of holding bodies 100, for example. In other words, thelight source 200 can be attached to at least one of the pair of holdingbodies 100, and the optical sensor 300 can be attached to at leastanother of the pair of holding bodies 100.

In the present example embodiment, an element including one (the holdingbody 100 on the positive direction side of the first direction X) of thepair of holding bodies 100, and the light source 200 and the opticalsensor 300 that are attached to the one holding body 100, and an elementincluding another (the holding body 100 on the negative direction sideof the first direction X) of the pair of holding bodies 100, and thelight source 200 and the optical sensor 300 that are attached to theanother holding body 100 have the same configuration (for example, ashape of the holding body 100, a wavelength of light of the light source200, and a wavelength detected by the optical sensor 300), and theelements are disposed in such a way to have rotational symmetry withrespect to the center of the space S as viewed from the front (negativedirection of the third direction Z) or the back (positive direction ofthe third direction Z) of the space S. In this case, a configurationdoes not need to be changed between one and another of the two elements,and the object recognition device 10 can be formed by appropriatelydisposing the two elements. Thus, as compared to a case where the twoelements have configurations different from each other, formation of theobject recognition device 10 can be facilitated. However, the twoelements may include configurations different from each other.

The number of the holding body 100 of the object recognition device 10is not limited to the number (two) according to the present exampleembodiment. The object recognition device 10 may include three or moreholding bodies 100. In other words, the object recognition device 10 caninclude the plurality of holding bodies 100.

Details of the object recognition device 10 will be described by usingFIG. 2 .

The light source 200 attached to the one (the holding body 100 on thepositive direction side of the first direction X) of the pair of holdingbodies 100 and the light source 200 attached to the another (the holdingbody 100 on the negative direction side of the first direction X) of thepair of holding bodies 100 face each other across the space S.

The optical sensor 300 attached to the one (the holding body 100 on thepositive direction side of the first direction X) of the pair of holdingbodies 100 is attached to the upper end (end on the positive directionside of the second direction Y) of the one holding body 100. Incontrast, the optical sensor 300 attached to the another (the holdingbody 100 on the negative direction side of the first direction X) of thepair of holding bodies 100 is attached to the lower end (end of thenegative direction side of the second direction Y) of the anotherholding body 100. Note that, the optical sensor 300 attached to the one(the holding body 100 on the positive direction side of the firstdirection X) of the pair of holding bodies 100 may be attached to aposition shifted from the upper end (end on the positive direction sideof the second direction Y) of the one holding body 100 in the onedirection (second direction Y) described above of the one holding body100. Further, the optical sensor 300 attached to the another (theholding body 100 on the negative direction side of the first directionX) of the pair of holding bodies 100 may be attached to a positionshifted from the lower end (end on the negative direction side of thesecond direction Y) of the another holding body 100 in the one direction(second direction Y) described above of the another holding body 100.

The optical sensor 300 attached to the one (the holding body 100 on thepositive direction side of the first direction X) of the pair of holdingbodies 100 and the optical sensor 300 attached to the another (theholding body 100 on the negative direction side of the first directionX) of the pair of holding bodies 100 face each other in a directionobliquely intersecting the one direction (second direction Y) describedabove of the one (the holding body 100 on the positive direction side ofthe first direction X) or the another (the holding body 100 on thenegative direction side of the first direction X) of the pair of holdingbodies 100. In this case, a region where the object recognition device10 can recognize an object can be complemented by a visual field of theoptical sensor 300 attached to the one (the holding body 100 on thepositive direction side of the first direction X) of the pair of holdingbodies 100 and a visual field of the optical sensor 300 attached to theanother (the holding body 100 on the negative direction side of thefirst direction X) of the pair of holding bodies 100 to each other.

The visual field of the optical sensor 300 attached to the one (theholding body 100 on the positive direction side of the first directionX) of the pair of holding bodies 100 and the visual field of the opticalsensor 300 attached to the another (the holding body 100 on the negativedirection side of the first direction X) of the pair of holding bodies100 may face the same region among the space S, the front (negativedirection of the third direction Z) of the space S, and the back(positive direction of the third direction Z) of the space S. Forexample, when the visual field of the optical sensor 300 attached to theone (the holding body 100 on the positive direction side of the firstdirection X) of the pair of holding bodies 100 faces the space S, thevisual field of the optical sensor 300 attached to the another (theholding body 100 on the negative direction side of the first directionX) of the pair of holding bodies 100 also faces the space S. In thiscase, in a region that the visual fields of the two optical sensors 300face, a dead spot of the visual fields of the two optical sensors 300can be more reliably reduced than that when a visual field of only oneoptical sensor 300 faces the region.

The visual field of the optical sensor 300 attached to the one (theholding body 100 on the positive direction side of the first directionX) of the pair of holding bodies 100 and the visual field of the opticalsensor 300 attached to the another (the holding body 100 on the negativedirection side of the first direction X) of the pair of holding bodies100 may face different regions among the space S, the front (negativedirection of the third direction Z) of the space S, and the back(positive direction of the third direction Z) of the space S. Forexample, when the visual field of the optical sensor 300 attached to theone (the holding body 100 on the positive direction side of the firstdirection X) of the pair of holding bodies 100 faces the front (negativedirection of the third direction Z) of the space S, the visual field ofthe optical sensor 300 attached to the another (the holding body 100 onthe negative direction side of the first direction X) of the pair ofholding bodies 100 faces the back (positive direction of the thirddirection Z) of the space S. In this case, a region where the objectrecognition device 10 can recognize an object can be expanded from thefront (negative direction of the third direction Z) toward the back(positive direction of the third direction Z). In this case, a part ofthe visual field of the optical sensor 300 attached to the one (theholding body 100 on the positive direction side of the first directionX) of the pair of holding bodies 100 may intersect or may not intersecta part of the visual field of the optical sensor 300 attached to theanother (the holding body 100 on the negative direction side of thefirst direction X) of the pair of holding bodies 100.

An arrangement of the optical sensor 300 attached to each of the pair ofholding bodies 100 is not limited to the arrangement according to thepresent example embodiment. For example, the optical sensor 300 attachedto the one (the holding body 100 on the positive direction side of thefirst direction X) of the pair of holding bodies 100 and the opticalsensor 300 attached to the another (the holding body 100 on the negativedirection side of the first direction X) of the pair of holding bodies100 may face each other in a direction (for example, the first directionX) orthogonal to the one direction (second direction Y) described aboveof the one (the holding body 100 on the positive direction side of thefirst direction X) or the another (the holding body 100 on the negativedirection side of the first direction X) of the pair of holding bodies100.

Next, a relationship between a wavelength of light applied from thelight source 200 and a wavelength of light detected by the opticalsensor 300 will be described. A wavelength of light applied from thelight source 200 and a wavelength of light detected by the opticalsensor 300 are selected as appropriate according to a use of the objectrecognition device 10. For example, the wavelengths are as follows.

In one example, light applied from the light source 200 is white light,and light detected by the optical sensor 300 is red, blue, green (RGB)light. For example, the light source 200 includes white lighting, andthe optical sensor 300 includes an RGB camera. In this example, theobject recognition device 10 can recognize an object such as a personand an article from a color image acquired by the optical sensor 300.

In another example, light applied from the light source 200 is infraredlight, and light detected by the optical sensor 300 is infrared light.For example, the light source 200 includes infrared lighting, and theoptical sensor 300 includes an infrared camera. In this example,intensity of light (infrared light) applied from the light source 200can be increased without giving glare to a person located near theobject recognition device 10.

In still another example, light applied from the light source 200 isboth of white light and infrared light, and light detected by theoptical sensor 300 is both of RGB light and infrared light. For example,the light source 200 includes both of white lighting and infraredlighting, and the optical sensor 300 includes both of an RGB camera andan infrared camera. In this example, a movement of an object such as aperson and an object person can be recognized by the infrared camera,and a kind of an object such as a person and an object person can berecognized by the RGB camera.

The light source 200 continuously applies light (for example, at leastone of white light and infrared light). Alternatively, the light source200 may intermittently apply light (for example, at least one of whitelight and infrared light). When the light source 200 intermittentlyapplies light, the light source 200 may include, for example,stroboscopic lighting. In this case, as compared to a case where lightis continuously applied, motion blur of an object such as a person andan article can be suppressed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing a first example of the optical sensor300 (the optical sensor 300 on the negative direction side of the firstdirection X in FIG. 2 ) having a visual field facing upward (positivedirection of the second direction Y) from downward (negative directionof the second direction Y) in the vertical direction (second directionY) in FIG. 2 .

The optical sensor 300 (the optical sensor 300 on the negative directionside of the first direction X in FIG. 2 ) having the visual field facingupward (positive direction of the second direction Y) from downward(negative direction of the second direction Y) in the vertical direction(second direction Y) may be covered by a half mirror 312. In this case,a person (on a bright side with respect to a side on which the opticalsensor 300 is located) approaching the object recognition device 10 isclearly seen via the half mirror 312 from the optical sensor 300 side(on a dark side with respect to a side on which the person approachingthe object recognition device 10 is located), whereas the optical sensor300 (on the dark side with respect to the side on which the personapproaching the object recognition device 10 is located) is hardly seenby the half mirror 312 from the side (on the bright side with respect tothe side on which the optical sensor 300 is located) of the personapproaching the object recognition device 10. Therefore, the personapproaching the object recognition device 10 can be prevented fromhaving a feeling of anxiety about being monitored from downward(negative direction of the second direction Y) by the optical sensor300.

The optical sensor 300 (the optical sensor 300 on the positive directionside of the first direction X in FIG. 2 ) having the visual field facingdownward (negative direction of the second direction Y) from upward(positive direction of the second direction Y) in the vertical direction(second direction Y) in FIG. 2 may not be covered or may be covered by ahalf mirror. For example, the optical sensor 300 (the optical sensor 300on the negative direction side of the first direction X in FIG. 2 )having the visual field facing upward (positive direction of the seconddirection Y) from downward (negative direction of the second directionY) in the vertical direction (second direction Y) may be covered by thehalf mirror 312, whereas the optical sensor 300 (the optical sensor 300on the positive direction side of the first direction X in FIG. 2 )having the visual field facing downward (negative direction of thesecond direction Y) from upward (positive direction of the seconddirection Y) in the vertical direction (second direction Y) may not becovered by a half mirror. In this case, the amount of light detected bythe optical sensor 300 (the optical sensor 300 on the positive directionside of the first direction X in FIG. 2 ) having the visual field facingdownward (negative direction of the second direction Y) from upward(positive direction of the second direction Y) in the vertical direction(second direction Y) can be increased further than that when a halfmirror is provided.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing a second example of the opticalsensor 300 (the optical sensor 300 on the negative direction side of thefirst direction X in FIG. 2 ) having the visual field facing upward(positive direction of the second direction Y) from downward (negativedirection of the second direction Y) in the vertical direction (seconddirection Y) in FIG. 2 .

A front portion (portion on the negative direction side of the thirddirection Z) of the optical sensor 300 (cover 302) (the optical sensor300 (cover 302) on the negative direction side of the first direction Xin FIG. 2 ) having the visual field facing upward (positive direction ofthe second direction Y) from downward (negative direction of the seconddirection Y) in the vertical direction (second direction Y) may becovered by a shielding body 314. When the shielding body 314 isprovided, the optical sensor 300 (cover 302) is hidden by the shieldingbody 314 from a person located at the front (negative direction of thethird direction Z) of the space S. Thus, the person located at the front(negative direction of the third direction Z) of the space S can beprevented from having a feeling of anxiety about being monitored fromdownward (negative direction of the second direction Y) by the opticalsensor 300. Further, when the shielding body 314 is provided, an objectsuch as a person located at the front (negative direction of the thirddirection Z) of the space S can be prevented from being detected by theoptical sensor 300. Thus, privacy of the person located at the front(negative direction of the third direction Z) of the space S can beprotected.

A front portion (portion on the negative direction side of the thirddirection Z) of the optical sensor 300 (cover 302) (the optical sensor300 (cover 302) on the positive direction side of the first direction Xin FIG. 2 ) having the visual field facing upward (negative direction ofthe second direction Y) from upward (positive direction of the seconddirection Y) in the vertical direction (second direction Y) may becovered or may not be covered by a shielding body.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a first modification example of FIG. 2.

The object recognition device 10 further includes two spacers 110. Eachof the spacers 110 is connected to each of the pair of holding bodies100. One (the spacer 110 on the positive direction side of the seconddirection Y) of the two spacers 110 is connected to an upper end side(positive direction side of the second direction Y) of each of the pairof holding bodies 100. In contrast, another (the spacer 110 on thenegative direction side of the second direction Y) of the two spacers110 is connected to a lower end side (negative direction side of thesecond direction Y) of each of the pair of holding bodies 100. Notethat, the object recognition device 10 may include only one spacer 110,or may include three or more spacers 110. In other words, the objectrecognition device 10 can include at least one or the plurality ofspacers 110.

In the present modification example, a gap between the pair of holdingbodies 100 can be adjusted to an appropriate length by a length of eachof the spacers 110. For example, each of the spacers 110 can expand andcontract along a left-right direction (first direction X) of the space Sbetween the pair of holding bodies 100. In this case, each of thespacers 110 may include a cylindrical member, and an extending memberinserted movably with respect to the cylindrical member. In thisexample, a length of each of the spacers 110 in an extending direction(first direction X) can be adjusted by moving the extending member withrespect to the cylindrical member. However, a structure for adjusting alength of each of the spacers 110 in the extending direction (firstdirection X) is not limited to this example. Further, each of thespacers 110 may not be able to expand and contract between the pair ofholding bodies 100. Even in this case, by preparing the plurality ofspacers 110 having different lengths, and selecting the spacer 110having an appropriate length from the plurality of spacers 110, a gapbetween the pair of holding bodies 100 can be adjusted to an appropriatelength.

Each of the spacers 110 may be transparent. In this case, an objectpresent at the back (positive direction of the third direction Z) ofeach of the spacers 110 as viewed from the front (negative direction ofthe third direction Z) of the space S can be seen even through each ofthe spacers 110. However, each of the spacers 110 may not betransparent.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a second modification example of FIG. 2.

The object recognition device 10 includes a pair of guide members 120that can expand and contract. Each of the guide members 120 is, forexample, a tape measure or a folding measure. FIG. 6 illustrates each ofthe guide members 120 expanding. Each of the guide members 120contracting (for example, a tape measure being wounded or a foldingmeasure being folded) is provided in advance in a predetermined position(for example, near the optical sensor 300) of each of the holding bodies100. Each of the guide members 120 contracting is expanded, and each ofthe expanded guide members 120 is attached to the holding body 100 (forexample, an engagement member, such as a hook, being provided in advanceon an end portion of the holding body 100 located on a side opposite toan end portion on which the optical sensor 300 is provided) on the otherside. In this way, as illustrated in FIG. 6 , the pair of guide members120 intersect each other between the pair of holding bodies 100.Specifically, one end and another end of one (the guide member 120extending in a direction between the positive direction of the firstdirection X and the positive direction of the second direction Y) of thepair of guide members 120 are each fixed to an upper end (end on thepositive direction side of the second direction Y) of one (the holdingbody 100 on the positive direction side of the first direction X) of thepair of holding bodies 100 and a lower end (end on the negativedirection side of the second direction Y) of another (the holding body100 on the negative direction side of the first direction X) of the pairof holding bodies 100. Further, one end and another end of another (theguide member 120 extending in a direction between the negative directionof the first direction X and the positive direction of the seconddirection Y) of the pair of guide members 120 are each fixed to a lowerend (end on the negative direction side of the second direction Y) ofthe one (the holding body 100 on the positive direction side of thefirst direction X) of the pair of holding bodies 100 and an upper end(end on the positive direction side of the second direction Y) of theanother (the holding body 100 on the negative direction side of thefirst direction X) of the pair of holding bodies 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 , when the pair of guide members 120 intersecteach other between the pair of holding bodies 100, and the opticalsensor 300 attached to each of the pair of holding bodies 100 isdisposed in an appropriate position (for example, a straight lineconnecting the optical sensors 300 pass through the center of the spaceS as viewed from the front (negative direction of the third direction Z)or the back (positive direction of the third direction Z) of the spaceS), the pair of guide members 120 are provided in such a way as tointersect each other at a predetermined portion (for example, thecenter) of each of the one and the another of the pair of guide members120. A mark may be provided in advance to the predetermined portion (forexample, the center) of each of the guide members 120. In this case,alignment of the pair of holding bodies 100 (the optical sensor 300attached to each of the pair of holding bodies 100) can be appropriatelyperformed by using the pair of guide members 120.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a third modification example of FIG. 2.

The object recognition device 10 further includes a human detectionsensor 402. The human detection sensor 402 detects a person located atthe front (negative direction of the third direction Z) of the objectrecognition device 10. The human detection sensor 402 is various sensorsthat can detect a person, for example, an optical sensor such as aninfrared sensor and a visible light sensor, and a sound sensor (forexample, a microphone) such as an ultrasonic sensor and an audible soundwave sensor. The human detection sensor 402 is provided on a frontsurface side (surface side on the negative direction side of the thirddirection Z) of each of the holding bodies 100. In this case, ascompared to a case where the human detection sensor 402 is provided in aposition different from the front surface of each of the holding bodies100, the human detection sensor 402 can more easily detect a personlocated at the front (negative direction of the third direction Z) ofthe object recognition device 10. However, as long as the humandetection sensor 402 can detect a person located at the front (negativedirection of the third direction Z) of the object recognition device 10,the human detection sensor 402 may be provided in a position differentfrom the front surface side (surface side on the negative direction sideof the third direction Z) of each of the holding bodies 100.

An operation state of at least one of the light source 200 and theoptical sensor 300 that are attached to each of the holding bodies 100can be switched according to a detection result of the human detectionsensor 402. For example, the amount of light applied from the lightsource 200 may be set higher when the human detection sensor 402 detectsa person located at the front (negative direction of the third directionZ) of the object recognition device 10 than that when the humandetection sensor 402 does not detect a person located at the front(negative direction of the third direction Z) of the object recognitiondevice 10. For example, the light source 200 may apply light when thehuman detection sensor 402 detects a person located at the front(negative direction of the third direction Z) of the object recognitiondevice 10, whereas the light source 200 may not apply light when thehuman detection sensor 402 does not detect a person located at the front(negative direction of the third direction Z) of the object recognitiondevice 10. Further, the optical sensor 300 may be stopped when the humandetection sensor 402 does not detect a person located at the front(negative direction of the third direction Z) of the object recognitiondevice 10, and the optical sensor 300 may be activated when the humandetection sensor 402 detects a person located at the front (negativedirection of the third direction Z) of the object recognition device 10.In this case, the light source 200 and the optical sensor 300 do notneed to be always operated. Therefore, as compared to a case where thelight source 200 and the optical sensor 300 are always operated,consumed power of the object recognition device 10 can be reduced.

In the present modification example, the human detection sensor 402 isattached to each of the pair of holding bodies 100. However, the humandetection sensor 402 may be attached to only one of the pair of holdingbodies 100. In other words, the human detection sensor 402 can beattached to at least one of the pair of holding bodies 100. Further, aposition in which the human detection sensor 402 is attached is notlimited to the position illustrated in FIG. 7 .

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a fourth modification example of FIG. 2.

The object recognition device 10 further includes a display unit 404.The display unit 404 faces the front (negative direction of the thirddirection Z) of the object recognition device 10. The display unit 404is various displays, for example, a liquid crystal display and anorganic electroluminescent (EL) display. Further, the display unit 404may be a touch screen. When the display unit 404 is a touch screen, auser of the object recognition device 10 can provide an instruction foroperating the object recognition device 10 to the object recognitiondevice 10 by using the display unit 404.

An orientation of an image displayed by the display unit 404 can beswitched according to a posture of the holding body 100 to which thedisplay unit 404 is attached. The orientation of an image displayed bythe display unit 404 means, for example, which direction a predeterminedreference direction (for example, an upward direction or a downwarddirection of the image displayed by the display unit 404) of the imagedisplayed by the display unit 404 is oriented with respect to apredetermined position (for example, one end of the holding body 100 onwhich the optical sensor 300 is provided) of the holding body 100. Theposture of the holding body 100 means, for example, whether apredetermined position (for example, one end of the holding body 100 onwhich the optical sensor 300 is provided) of the holding body 100 isoriented upward (positive direction of the second direction Y) ordownward (negative direction of the second direction Y) of the verticaldirection (second direction Y), is oriented in the horizontal direction(first direction X), or is oriented in an oblique direction from thevertical direction (second direction Y) or the horizontal direction(first direction X). The posture of the holding body 100 is detected by,for example, a sensor (for example, a gyro sensor attached to theholding body 100) that detects a posture of the holding body 100.

If, for example, an orientation of an image displayed by the displayunit 404 is not switched according to a posture of the holding body 100,and an upward direction of the image displayed by the display unit 404is oriented toward one end of the holding body 100 on which the opticalsensor 300 is provided, the image displayed by the display unit 404attached to the holding body 100 on a left side (positive direction sideof the first direction X) as viewed from the front (negative directionof the third direction Z) of the space S is displayed in an appropriateorientation, but the image displayed by the display unit 404 attached tothe holding body 100 on a right side (negative direction side of thefirst direction X) as viewed from the front (negative direction of thethird direction Z) of the space S is displayed upside down. In contrast,in the present example embodiment, an orientation of an image displayedby the display unit 404 attached to the holding body 100 on the rightside (negative direction side of the first direction X) as viewed fromthe front (negative direction of the third direction Z) of the space Sis switched according to a posture of the holding body 100, and is notdisplayed upside down.

In the present modification example, the display unit 404 is attached toeach of the pair of holding bodies 100. However, the display unit 404may be attached to only one of the pair of holding bodies 100. In otherwords, the display unit 404 can be attached to at least one of the pairof holding bodies 100. Further, a position in which the display unit 404is attached is not limited to the position illustrated in FIG. 8 .

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a fifth modification example of FIG. 2.

The object recognition device 10 further includes a sound sensor 406.The sound sensor 406 is, for example, a microphone. The objectrecognition device 10 can perform processing below, for example, byusing a detection result of the sound sensor 406.

For example, at an automated store, the sound sensor 406 may detect asound generated at a time of settlement of an article such as a product.In other words, when the sound sensor 406 detects a sound generated at atime of settlement of an article such as a product, the objectrecognition device 10 can determine that the settlement of an articlesuch as a product is completed, and when the sound sensor 406 does notdetect a sound generated at a time of settlement of an article such as aproduct, the object recognition device 10 can determine that thesettlement of an article such as a product is not completed.

Further, the sound sensor 406 may detect various abnormal sounds such asan abnormal sound related to an article such as a product, and anabnormal sound in a store. An abnormal sound related to an article suchas a product includes, for example, a sound generated when an articlesuch as a product is broken. The abnormal sounds can be stored inadvance in the object recognition device 10 or an external device (forexample, a server) that can communicate with or be connected to theobject recognition device 10. The object recognition device 10 candetermine an abnormal sound related to an article such as a product byreferring to the stored sound. Further, an abnormal sound related to anarticle such as a product may further include, for example, a soundgenerated when a fixture used together with an article such as a productis broken. Further, an abnormal sound in a store includes, for example,a scream, a sound of a fight, an angry voice, a burglar alarm, and thelike near the object recognition device 10.

Furthermore, the sound sensor 406 may detect an entry sound of acustomer.

Furthermore, the sound sensor 406 may detect a sound (for example, avoice) of an instruction for operating the object recognition device 10.In this case, for example, various types of processing (for example,settlement of an article such as a product) of the object recognitiondevice 10 can be performed by a sound such as a voice without using thedisplay unit 404 (touch screen).

In the present modification example, the sound sensor 406 is attached toeach of the pair of holding bodies 100. However, the sound sensor 406may be attached to only one of the pair of holding bodies 100. In otherwords, the sound sensor 406 can be attached to at least one of the pairof holding bodies 100. Further, a position in which the sound sensor 406is attached is not limited to the position illustrated in FIG. 9 .Further, when the sound sensor 406 is attached to both of the pair ofholding bodies 100, the two sound sensors 406 may be disposed in such away as to detect a stereo sound.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a sixth modification example of FIG. 2.

The object recognition device 10 further includes a sound source 408.The sound source 408 is, for example, a speaker. The object recognitiondevice 10 can perform processing below, for example, by using the soundsource 408.

For example, the sound source 408 outputs a sound (for example, a voice)for assisting in use of the object recognition device 10 by a user (forexample, a customer of a store). For example, at an automated store, thesound source 408 outputs a sound (for example, a voice) that promptssettlement when the sound sensor 406 described above does not detect asound generated at a time of the settlement of an article such as aproduct.

Further, for example, the sound source 408 may output various sounds(for example, a sound of a burglar alarm) according to an abnormal soundwhen the sound sensor 406 described above detects various abnormalsounds such as an abnormal sound related to an article such as aproduct, and an abnormal sound in a store.

Further, the sound source 408 may output a sound (for example, a voice)indicating attribute information (for example, a use-by date of aproduct) about an article such as a product according to variousdetection results (for example, a detection result of the optical sensor300 or a detection result of a depth sensor 410 described later) of theobject recognition device 10.

In the present modification example, the sound source 408 is attached toeach of the pair of holding bodies 100. However, the sound source 408may be attached to only one of the pair of holding bodies 100. In otherwords, the sound source 408 can be attached to at least one of the pairof holding bodies 100. Further, a position in which the sound source 408is attached is not limited to the position illustrated in FIG. 10 .Further, when the sound sources 408 is attached to both of the pair ofholding bodies 100, the two sound sources 408 may be disposed in such away as to form a stereo sound.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a seventh modification example of FIG.2 .

The object recognition device 10 includes a depth sensor 410. The depthsensor 410 is, for example, a depth camera. In the present exampleembodiment, a plurality of the depth sensors 410 are attached to each ofthe holding bodies 100, and the plurality of depth sensors 410 attachedto each of the holding bodies 100 are aligned in the one direction(second direction Y) described above of each of the holding bodies 100.A detection range of each of the depth sensors 410 faces the back(positive direction of the third direction Z) of the space S. In thiscase, a position, in the left-right direction (first direction X) of thespace S, of an object located at the back (positive direction of thethird direction Z) of the space S can be accurately determined ascompared to a case where the depth sensor 410 is not used.

As in a third example embodiment (FIG. 17 ) described later, when ahousing portion 22 is disposed at the back (positive direction of thethird direction Z) of the space S, each of the depth sensors 410attached to each of the holding body 100 can be provided for each shelfof the housing portion 22 in which an article such as a product ishoused. In this case, a position in the left-right direction (firstdirection X) of an article such as a product on each shelf of thehousing portion 22 can be accurately determined as compared to a casewhere the depth sensor 410 is not used.

Note that, the depth sensor 410 may be attached to only one of the pairof holding bodies 100. In other words, the depth sensor 410 can beattached to at least one of the pair of holding bodies 100. Further, aposition in which the depth sensor 410 is attached is not limited to theposition illustrated in FIG. 11 . Further, the number of the depthsensor 410 attached to each of the holding bodies 100 may be only one.In other words, at least one depth sensor 410 can be attached to atleast one of the pair of holding bodies 100.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an eighth modification example of FIG.2 .

A hole 102 for discharging heat generated from an element (for example,the light source 200 or the optical sensor 300) attached to each of theholding bodies 100 is formed in each of an upper portion (portion on thepositive direction side of the second direction Y) and a lower portion(portion on the negative direction side of the second direction Y) ofeach of the holding bodies 100. The hole 102 formed in each of the upperportion (portion on the positive direction side of the second directionY) and the lower portion (portion on the negative direction side of thesecond direction Y) of each of the holding bodies 100 can discharge heatby using convection. Further, an area of the hole 102 formed in theupper portion (portion on the positive direction side of the seconddirection Y) of each of the holding bodies 100 is greater than an areaof the hole 102 formed in the lower portion (portion on the negativedirection side of the second direction Y) of each of the holding bodies100. In this case, as compared to a case where an area of the hole 102formed in the upper portion (portion on the positive direction side ofthe second direction Y) of each of the holding bodies 100 is equal to orless than an area of the hole 102 formed in the lower portion (portionon the negative direction side of the second direction Y) of each of theholding bodies 100, the amount of heat discharged from the hole 102formed in the upper portion (portion on the positive direction side ofthe second direction Y) of each of the holding bodies 100 can beincreased.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a ninth modification example of FIG. 2.

A heat radiation member 104 is provided on an upper portion (portion onthe positive direction side of the second direction Y) (upper portioninside each of the holding bodies 100) of each of the holding bodies100. The heat radiation member 104 is, for example, a metal plate or aheat radiation sheet. The heat radiation member 104 can release, to theoutside of each of the holding bodies 100, heat generated from anelement (for example, the light source 200 or the optical sensor 300)attached to each of the holding bodies 100. When it is considered thatheat generated from an element (for example, the light source 200 or theoptical sensor 300) attached to each of the holding bodies 100 tends togo upward (positive direction of the second direction Y) in the verticaldirection, the heat radiation member 104 is more preferably provided onthe upper portion (portion on the positive direction side of the seconddirection Y) of each of the holding bodies 100 than a lower portion(portion on the negative direction side of the second direction Y) ofeach of the holding bodies 100. However, a position in which the heatradiation member 104 is attached is not limited to the positionaccording to the present modification example.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a tenth modification example of FIG. 2.

The object recognition device 10 further includes a communication unit502. The communication unit 502 is, for example, an antenna. The objectrecognition device 10 can communicate with an external device (forexample, a server) of the object recognition device 10 via thecommunication unit 502. The communication unit 502 is attached to eachof the pair of holding bodies 100. Further, the communication unit 502attached to each of the holding bodies 100 is located above (positivedirection of the second direction Y) the center in the one direction(second direction Y) described above of each of the holding bodies 100.In this case, as compared to a case where the communication unit 502attached to each of the holding bodies 100 is located below (negativedirection of the second direction Y) the center in the one direction(second direction Y) described above of each of the holding bodies 100,a position of the communication unit 502 in the vertical direction(second direction Y) can be set higher, and the communication unit 502can more easily communicate with an external device (for example, aserver) of the object recognition device 10. However, the communicationunit 502 attached to each of the holding bodies 100 may be located atthe center in the one direction (second direction Y) described above ofeach of the holding bodies 100, or may be located below (negativedirection of the second direction Y) the center in the one direction(second direction Y) described above of each of the holding bodies 100.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an eleventh modification example ofFIG. 2 .

The object recognition device 10 further includes a power source 504.The power source 504 supplies power to an element (for example, thelight source 200 or the optical sensor 300) attached to each of theholding bodies 100. The power source 504 is attached to each of the pairof holding bodies 100. Further, the power source 504 attached to each ofthe holding bodies 100 is located below (negative direction of thesecond direction Y) the center in the one direction (second direction Y)described above of each of the holding bodies 100. In this case, when awiring line connected to the power source 504 is located near aninstallation surface of the object recognition device 10, a distancebetween the power source 504 and the wiring line connected to the powersource 504 can be shortened as compared to a case where the power source504 attached to each of the holding bodies 100 is located above(negative direction of the second direction Y) the center in the onedirection (second direction Y) described above of each of the holdingbodies 100. However, the power source 504 attached to each of theholding bodies 100 may be located at the center in the one direction(second direction Y) described above of each of the holding bodies 100,or may be located above (positive direction of the second direction Y)the center in the one direction (second direction Y) described above ofeach of the holding bodies 100.

In FIG. 15 , the power source 504 is described, but the same as theabove-described matter described by the power source 504 also applies toa communication cable connected to a connector outside the objectrecognition device 10.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a twelfth modification example of FIG.2 .

The object recognition device 10 includes a communication device 506 aand a communication wiring line 506 b. The communication device 506 a isattached to the another (the holding body 100 on the negative directionside of the first direction X) of the pair of holding bodies 100.Further, the communication device 506 a is electrically connected to theoptical sensor 300 attached to the another (the holding body 100 on thenegative direction side of the first direction X) of the pair of holdingbodies 100. The communication wiring line 506 b is connected to the one(the holding body 100 on the negative direction side of the firstdirection X) of the pair of holding bodies 100, and to the communicationdevice 506 a attached to the another (the holding body 100 on thenegative direction side of the first direction X) of the pair of holdingbodies 100. Further, the communication wiring line 506 b is electricallyconnected to the optical sensor 300 attached to the one (the holdingbody 100 on the positive direction side of the first direction X) of thepair of holding bodies 100. The communication device 506 a communicateswith an external device (for example, a computer) of the objectrecognition device 10. In this example, a detection result of theoptical sensor 300 attached to the another (the holding body 100 on thenegative direction side of the first direction X) of the pair of holdingbodies 100 can be transmitted to an external device (for example, acomputer) of the object recognition device 10 via the communicationdevice 506 a, and a detection result of the optical sensor 300 attachedto the one (the holding body 100 on the positive direction side of thefirst direction X) of the pair of holding bodies 100 can be transmittedto an external device (for example, a computer) of the objectrecognition device 10 via the communication wiring line 506 b and thecommunication device 506 a.

Third Example Embodiment

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a housing device 20 according to athird example embodiment.

The housing device 20 includes the housing portion 22 and an objectrecognition device 10. An article is housed in the housing portion 22.Specifically, the housing portion 22 is, for example, a shelf on whichan article such as a product is housed in a store such as a retailstore. The object recognition device 10 according to the present exampleembodiment is similar to the object recognition device 10 according tothe second example embodiment. In other words, the object recognitiondevice 10 includes a pair of holding bodies 100. However, the objectrecognition device 10 may include a single holding body 100 similarly tothe object recognition device 10 according to the first exampleembodiment. The housing portion 22 is located at the back (positivedirection of the third direction Z) of a space S between the pair ofholding bodies 100. The housing portion 22 includes the holding bodies100. In the present example embodiment, the holding body 100 is attachedto a portion of a frame of the housing portion 22 extending in theup-down direction (second direction Y) of the housing device 20. Inother words, the object recognition device 10 (holding body 100) isattached to the housing portion 22 being prepared in advance. However,the holding body 100 may be a portion (for example, a portion of theframe of the housing portion 22 extending in the up-down direction(second direction Y) of the housing device 20) itself of the housingportion 22. In other words, the “housing portion 22 includes the holdingbody 100” may mean that the holding body 100 is attached to the housingportion 22, or may mean that the holding body 100 is a portion itself ofthe housing portion 22.

For example, when the housing device 20 is used in a store such as aretail store, the object recognition device 10 recognizes variousobjects, for example, a person located near the object recognitiondevice 10, a person located at the front (negative direction of thethird direction Z) of the object recognition device 10, a hand reachingout via the space S for an article such as a product housed in thehousing portion 22, an article such as a product housed in the housingportion 22 via the space S, an article such as a product taken out ofthe housing portion 22 via the space S, and the like. In this way, thehousing device 20 (object recognition device 10) can recognize, withhigh sensitivity, an object (for example, an article such as a product,or a person) that is present in a specific region (for example, thespace S, the front (positive direction of the third direction Z) of thespace S, or the back (negative direction of the third direction Z) ofthe space S) with respect to the housing portion 22, or passes through aspecific region (for example, the space S, the front (positive directionof the third direction Z) of the space S, or the back (negativedirection of the third direction Z) of the space S) with respect to thehousing portion 22.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for describing a first example of a relationshipbetween a light source 200 and an optical sensor 300 that areillustrated in FIG. 17 .

The light source 200 attached to one (the holding body 100 on thepositive direction side of the first direction X) of the pair of holdingbodies 100 includes a visible light source 200 a and an infrared lightsource 200 b. The light source 200 attached to another (the holding body100 on the negative direction side of the first direction X) of the pairof holding bodies 100 also includes the visible light source 200 a andthe infrared light source 200 b. The optical sensor 300 attached to eachof the pair of holding bodies 100 can detect both of RGB light andinfrared light.

In FIG. 18 , a white triangle having, as one vertex, a point indicatinga position of the visible light source 200 a indicates an applicationrange of visible light by the visible light source 200 a. However, in anactual object recognition device 10, an application range of visiblelight by the visible light source 200 a may reach a region farther awayfrom the holding body 100 than the range illustrated in FIG. 18 . InFIG. 18 , a line-hatched triangle having, as one vertex, a pointindicating a position of the infrared light source 200 b indicates anapplication range of infrared light by the infrared light source 200 b.However, in an actual object recognition device 10, an application rangeof infrared light by the infrared light source 200 b may reach a regionfarther away from the holding body 100 than the range illustrated inFIG. 18 . In FIG. 18 , a dot-hatched triangle having, as one vertex, apoint indicating a position of the optical sensor 300 indicates a visualfield of the optical sensor 300. However, in an actual objectrecognition device 10, a visual field of the optical sensor 300 mayreach a region farther away from the holding body 100 than the rangeillustrated in FIG. 18 . The same applies to FIGS. 19 and 20 describedlater except for a matter particularly described below.

The application range of infrared light by the infrared light source 200b attached to each of the pair of holding bodies 100 faces the front(negative direction of the third direction Z) (side on which a person Uis located) of the space S, whereas the application range of visiblelight by the visible light source 200 a attached to each of the pair ofholding bodies 100 faces the back (positive direction of the thirddirection Z) (side on which the housing portion 22 is located) of thespace S. Therefore, by setting visible light in such a way as not to beapplied too much to the person U located at the front (negativedirection of the third direction Z) of the space S, the person U locatedat the front (negative direction of the third direction Z) of the spaceS can be prevented from sensing glare of visible light. The person Ulocated at the front (negative direction of the third direction Z) ofthe space S can be detected mainly by infrared light rather than visiblelight.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for describing a second example of a relationshipbetween the light source 200 and the optical sensor 300 that areillustrated in FIG. 17 . Note that, in FIG. 19 , a dot-hatched trianglehaving, as one vertex, a point indicating a position of the opticalsensor 300 on the positive direction side of the first direction X amongthe two optical sensors 300 indicates a visual field for RGB light ofthe optical sensor 300 on the positive direction side of the firstdirection X among the two optical sensors 300. Further, in FIG. 19 , aline-hatched triangle having, as one vertex, a point indicating aposition of the optical sensor 300 on the negative direction side of thefirst direction X among the two optical sensors 300 indicates a visualfield for infrared light of the optical sensor 300 on the negativedirection side of the first direction X among the two optical sensors300. The visual fields may reach a region farther away from the holdingbody 100 than the ranges illustrated in FIG. 19 .

The light source 200 (infrared light source 200 b) that emits infraredlight is attached to the one (the holding body 100 on the positivedirection side of the first direction X) of the pair of holding bodies100, whereas the light source 200 that emits infrared light is notattached to the another (the holding body 100 on the negative directionside of the first direction X) of the pair of holding bodies 100.Meanwhile, the optical sensor 300 that detects infrared light isattached to the another (the holding body 100 on the negative directionside of the first direction X) of the pair of holding bodies 100. Inthis case, the optical sensor 300 attached to the another (the holdingbody 100 on the negative direction side of the first direction X) of thepair of holding bodies 100 can detect that infrared light emitted fromthe infrared light source 200 b attached to the one (the holding body100 on the positive direction side of the first direction X) of the pairof holding bodies 100 is blocked by an object such as the person U andan article.

FIG. 20 is a diagram for describing a third example of a relationshipbetween the light source 200 and the optical sensor 300 that areillustrated in FIG. 17 . Note that, a length of each of the pair ofholding bodies 100 in the up-down direction (second direction Y) of thespace S in FIG. 20 is longer than a length of each of the pair ofholding bodies 100 in the up-down direction (second direction Y) of thespace S in FIG. 17 . In FIG. 20 , a lower end (end on the negativedirection side of the second direction Y) of each of the pair of holdingbodies 100 reaches a height (height of, for example, equal to or lessthan 50 cm upward (positive direction of the second direction Y) from asurface on which the housing device 20 is installed) approximately belowthe knee of the person U located at the front (negative direction of thethird direction Z) of the space S.

In each of the pair of holding bodies 100, the visible light source 200a is located above (positive direction of the second direction Y) theinfrared light source 200 b. More specifically, in each of the pair ofholding bodies 100, the visible light source 200 a is located in such away as to be shifted above (positive direction of the second directionY) the center in an extending direction (second direction Y) of each ofthe holding bodies 100, whereas the infrared light source 200 b islocated in such a way as to be shifted below (negative direction of thesecond direction Y) the center in the extending direction (seconddirection Y) of each of the holding bodies 100. Further, the opticalsensor 300 attached to each of the pair of holding bodies 100 can detectboth of RGB light and infrared light.

Visible light is applied from above (positive direction of the seconddirection Y) the person U located at the front (negative direction ofthe third direction Z) of the space S, and infrared light is appliedfrom below (negative direction of the second direction Y) the person Ulocated at the front (negative direction of the third direction Z) ofthe space S. In this case, for example, as compared to a case wherevisible light is applied from below (negative direction of the seconddirection Y) the person U located at the front (negative direction ofthe third direction Z) of the space S, the person U located at the front(negative direction of the third direction Z) of the space S can beprevented from sensing glare of visible light.

While the example embodiments and the modification examples of thepresent invention have been described with reference to the drawings,the example embodiments and the modification examples are onlyexemplification of the present invention, and various configurationsother than the above-described example embodiments and modificationexamples can also be employed.

A part or the whole of the above-described example embodiments may alsobe described as in supplementary notes below, which is not limitedthereto.

1. A housing device, including:

a housing portion including a holding body extending in one direction,and in which an article is housed;

a light source that is attached to the holding body along the onedirection, and applies light toward at least a part of a space locatedon a side of the holding body with respect to the one direction of theholding body, a front of the space, and a back of the space; and

an optical sensor that is attached to the holding body, and has at leasta part of a visual field facing in at least a part of the space, thefront of the space, and the back of the space.

2. The housing device according to supplementary note 1, wherein

the visual field of the optical sensor faces, from a position in whichthe optical sensor is located toward the space, the front of the space,or the back of the space, in a direction obliquely intersecting the onedirection of the holding body.

3. The housing device according to supplementary note 1 or 2, wherein

the holding body includes a pair of the holding bodies facing each otheracross the space,

the light source is attached to at least one of the pair of the holdingbodies, and

the optical sensor is attached to at least another of the pair of theholding bodies.

4. The housing device according to supplementary note 3, wherein

the optical sensor attached to one of the pair of the holding bodies andthe optical sensor attached to another of the pair of the holding bodiesface each other in a direction obliquely intersecting the one directionof the one or the another of the pair of the holding bodies.

5. The housing device according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to4, wherein

the holding body is attached to the housing portion.

What is claimed is:
 1. A housing device, comprising: a housing portionincluding a holding body extending in one direction, and in which anarticle is housed; a light source that is attached to the holding bodyalong the one direction, and applies light toward at least a part of aspace located on a side of the holding body with respect to the onedirection of the holding body, a front of the space, and a back of thespace; and an optical sensor that is attached to the holding body, andhas at least a part of a visual field facing in at least a part of thespace, the front of the space, and the back of the space.
 2. The housingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the visual field of the opticalsensor faces, from a position in which the optical sensor is locatedtoward the space, the front of the space, or the back of the space, in adirection obliquely intersecting the one direction of the holding body.3. The housing device according to claim 1, wherein the holding bodyincludes a pair of the holding bodies facing each other across thespace, the light source is attached to at least one of the pair of theholding bodies, and the optical sensor is attached to at least anotherof the pair of the holding bodies.
 4. The housing device according toclaim 3, wherein the optical sensor attached to one of the pair of theholding bodies and the optical sensor attached to another of the pair ofthe holding bodies face each other in a direction obliquely intersectingthe one direction of the one or the another of the pair of the holdingbodies.
 5. The housing device according to claim 1, wherein the holdingbody is attached to the housing portion.